Real Madrid has reportedly requested UEFA permission to play Manchester City under a closed roof at the Santiago Bernabeu. This request is in an effort to boost the atmosphere for Tuesday’s Champions League quarterfinal first-leg tie against the Premier League side. The two teams are set to face each other for the third-successive season in the competition. City sources have confirmed that Madrid made the request to UEFA, and the decision on whether to play with a closed or opened roof will be taken at a routine pre-match technical meeting.
In last season’s semifinal, Pep Guardiola’s team drew 1-1 at the Bernabeu in the first-leg and lost 3-1 in Madrid in the second-leg 12 months earlier. City had an advantage of winning their first Champions League title last season. However, Madrid is now attempting to take full advantage of the retractable roof that was added to the stadium during a renovation that raised the capacity to 85,000 fans. The final decision on the roof will be made by UEFA in conjunction with match referee Francois Letexier.
City will be going into the game without their injured right-back Kyle Walker, who has failed to recover from a thigh injury sustained while on international duty with England. Walker played a key role in nullifying the threat of Vinicius Junior during last season’s semifinal, particularly in the 4-0 second-leg win at the Etihad, when City dominated the game and secured a memorable victory. His absence will be felt by the team.
Ahead of the upcoming game, Guardiola expressed that this season’s encounter will be a “classic” but different from the previous meetings. He acknowledged that both clubs have new players and that the game will be a completely different experience. Guardiola emphasized the need for his team to be proactive and not merely focus on controlling the game. He stated that they need to come into the match with the intention to score goals and take advantage of any opportunities to hurt and punish Real Madrid.
Real Madrid’s request to play Manchester City under a closed roof demonstrates their determination to create a more favorable atmosphere for the upcoming Champions League quarterfinal first-leg tie. With key players missing, the game will pose new challenges for both teams. Guardiola’s strategic approach and focus on scoring goals indicate a competitive and intense encounter between the two sides. The decision on the roof’s closure will add an interesting element to the match and potentially impact the overall atmosphere during the game. Fans can look forward to an exciting and unpredictable clash between these two football giants.